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July 2, 2026

AAA Urges Fireworks Safety And Insurance Check Ahead Of Independence Day

Local News, Local News Items #AAA, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FireSafety, #FireworksSafety, #FourthOfJuly, #georgianews, #HolidaySafety, #HomeownersInsurance, #IndependenceDay, #LiabilityCoverage, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PropertyDamage, #SafetyTips, #summervillega, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

As families prepare for Independence Day celebrations, AAA is reminding homeowners that fireworks can bring more than safety risks — they can also lead to costly property damage and liability issues.

According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, fireworks were linked to 11 reported deaths and 14,700 injuries in 2024. Fireworks also started an estimated 32,302 fires in 2023, including 3,760 structure fires and $142 million in direct property damage.

AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters says even well-planned fireworks displays can end in injury or property damage. AAA recommends homeowners review their insurance policies before the holiday to understand what is covered, including fire damage, guest injuries, detached structures and liability claims.

AAA also urges residents to keep fireworks away from homes, vehicles, decks, dry grass and trees; soak used fireworks in water before disposal; keep a water hose or bucket nearby; and never allow young children to handle fireworks, including sparklers. AAA says the safest option is attending a professional fireworks display.

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County to Hold Public Meeting on Proposed Moratorium for Tiny Homes, Container Homes and Other Non-Traditional Developments

Local News, Local News Items #AndyAllen, #CargoContainerHomes, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyCommissioner, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityDevelopment, #ContainerHomes, #Development, #LandUse, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PlanningAndZoning, #publicmeeting, #summervillega, #TinyHomes, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, #Zoning 0

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen has announced a public meeting to gather comments and discuss a proposed temporary moratorium on certain non-traditional development projects within the county.

According to a public notice released by the Commissioner’s Office, the proposed moratorium would apply to projects including cargo container homes and structures, tiny home developments, multi-service community developments, and other similar non-traditional residential or mixed-use developments that may be identified during the county’s review process.

County officials say the purpose of the proposed moratorium is to provide time to review existing land use regulations, evaluate the potential impacts of these types of developments, and determine whether changes to county ordinances are needed to protect the health, safety, welfare, and orderly growth of the community.

The public meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office, located at 10102 Commerce Street in Summerville. Residents, property owners, developers, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend and provide input before any action is taken on the proposed moratorium.

The Commissioner said the meeting is intended to ensure the public has an opportunity to be informed and participate in the discussion before any decision is made regarding the proposal.

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia’s Bald Eagle Population Continues Strong Growth, DNR Survey Finds

Local News, Local News Items #BaldEagle, #BirdsOfPrey, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #conservation, #EndangeredSpecies, #georgiadnr, #GeorgiaOutdoors, #georgiawildlife, #LocalNews, #Nature, #northwestgeorgia, #ProtectedSpecies, #WildlifeConservation, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Georgia’s bald eagle population continues to thrive, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ annual nesting survey, which found nesting success well above long-term averages despite surveying fewer areas than usual this year.

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Town of Trion Seeks Bids for Roof Replacement at Public Works Building

Local News, Local News Items #BidNotice, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #ConstructionBids, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicProjects, #PublicWorks, #RoofReplacement, #townoftrion, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

The Town of Trion is accepting sealed bids for a roofing project at the town’s Public Works building located at 141 Echols Drive. According to the bid invitation, the project involves removing the existing gable roof and installing a new low-slope roofing system.

Sealed bids must be submitted to Trion Town Hall no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 16. Bids will be publicly opened at noon on Friday, July 17, in the council room at Town Hall, with the contract to be awarded at a later date. No pre-bid conference will be held.

Contractors with questions may contact Brandon Croy at 706-859-1015 at least 36 hours before the submission deadline. The Town of Trion reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive technicalities or informalities.

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Highlands College Announces Spring 2026 President’s and Dean’s List Honorees

Local News, Local News Items #AcademicAchievement, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #EducationNews, #georgiahighlandscollege, #GHC, #highereducation, #LocalNews, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, DeansList, PresidentsList 0

Georgia Highlands College has announced its Spring 2026 President’s List and Dean’s List, recognizing students who achieved outstanding academic success during the spring semester.

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Wednesday – July 1, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #chattoogacountyarrestreport, #ChattoogaCountyJail, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #GeorgiaLawEnforcement, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #trionga, #WednesdayJuly12026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, July 1, 2026:

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC Awards First Disabled Veterans Support Scholarships

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #DisabledVeteransSupportScholarship, #GeorgiaEducation, #GeorgiaNorthwesternTechnicalCollege, #GNTC, #LocalNews, #MilitaryVeterans, #northwestgeorgia, #TCSG, #TechnicalEducation, #veterans, #WorkforceDevelopment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced the first recipients of the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship, with 12 students receiving awards for the summer 2026 semester.

The scholarship is funded through voluntary state income tax return donations and was created to support U.S. military veterans with service-connected disabilities as they pursue technical education in Georgia. The program is administered by the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation and is designed to help cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, required supplies and other real costs.

GNTC Military-Connected Services Coordinator Josh Hickman said the first semester of the scholarship program has been a success and said the 12 recipients are deserving of the support.

Recipients include students from Dalton, Rome, Euharlee, Adairsville, Rocky Face, Dallas, Canton and Cedartown. Their programs include supply chain management, healthcare management, cybersecurity, aviation maintenance, culinary arts, welding, EMS professions, automation engineering and instrumentation controls.

Eligible veterans must be enrolled in a degree, diploma or technical certificate program and provide documentation showing a service-connected disability rating.

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Woman Arrested After Alleged Public Disturbance In Downtown Summerville

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The Summerville Police Department arrested a Rome woman Saturday after officers responded to a disturbance in downtown Summerville. According to citations filed by the department, Tikeria Shaniquia Clowers, 27, of Rome, was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct following the incident.

According to the citations, officers observed Clowers to be visibly intoxicated in a public roadway, where police say she was causing a public disturbance. Officers also reported that she was told multiple times to lower her voice and stop yelling profanities. The citations state that after several warnings, she allegedly continued to be loud and boisterous, at which point she was placed under arrest.

The arrest occurred on June 28 in the area of 516 Highland Avenue in Summerville. Clowers is scheduled to appear in Summerville Municipal Court on September 15, 2026, to answer the charges.

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AAA: More Than 2.4 Million Georgians Expected To Travel For Independence Day Holiday

Local News, Local News Items #AAA, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FourthOfJuly, #GeorgiaDrivers, #GeorgiaTravel, #HolidayTravel, #IndependenceDay, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RoadTrip, #SummerTravel, #TravelForecast, #TravelSafety, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

AAA is forecasting another record-setting Independence Day holiday travel period, with more than 2.4 million Georgians expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5.

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

County Exploring Temporary Reopening Option for Mosteller Creek Bridge

Local News, Local News Items #AndyAllen, #BridgeClosure, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #GDOT, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #MostellerCreekBridge, #northwestgeorgia, #OakHillRoad, #SoleCommissioner, #transportation, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen says the county is exploring whether smaller passenger vehicles could be allowed back across the Mosteller Creek Bridge on Oak Hill Road west of Lyerly while long-term replacement plans are developed.